Fantasy, the Genre Part 3

We have gone through the endless meanings of fantasy and how fantasy plays a bigger role with other genres in existence today. Today we will be discussing the value of fantasy.

What do I mean when it comes to value? I mean the role and worth of this genre. Other genres tend to take on a more realistic touch than fantasy. Romance, comedy, historical, etc, tend to take place in a contemporary modern day world with phones, cars, satellite, etc.

This is usually considered the primary world in many fantasy genre stories like Narnia and Harry Potter. Harry living in 90's England and the Pevensies in an England during WWII. Both primary worlds have been realistically portrayed till the characters enter the secondary world (magical). Fantasy normally takes place in the secondary world or the fantastical world. Fantasy often does not need a primary world (non-magical world) to tell a great story (Lord of the Rings, Green Riders). In result, the value of fantasy is low in comparison to other genres, which primarily take place in a relatively real world.

Why? People can often relate to stories that take place in their own similar world or environment. A fantasy world is often hard to relate to and this has been one of the reasons that triggered many to criticize and devalue fantasy. People believed fantasy did more harm than good, but this is not true. In fact fantasy, like providing numerous genres, provides numerous themes that we can relate too.

Fantasy, first and foremost, has helped minds exercise their creativity and imagination. These tools are very useful in the real world for future inventions, social progress, and so on. Fantasy also provided a chance for people to temporarily escape the harshness of the real world. Above all, fantasy has produced numerous themes we can relate too.

Lord of the Rings and Star Wars both have the major plot of their story revolve around the events of WWII. Just think of Emperor Palpatine and Sauron as Hitler and the Nazis (stormtroopers, Nazguls/orcs). Historical events are not the only things this genre conveys. Harry Potter teaches people about the power of love and accepting death as a natural part of life. Potter books also deal heavily with discrimination. Once Upon a Time teaches that people are not black and white, and everyone deserves a chance at a happy ending as long as you do it in a way that doesn't hurt others.

I could go on and on, but I think the general idea has been covered. This is last and final part of the discussion on fantasy. We can talk further below on the genre of fantasy. Remember keep things civil.

Fantasy, the Genre Part 2

Diving right back into the genre of fantasy. From my last post, it can be understood that fantasy is quite possibly the oldest genre. What does that mean? There is a term called progenitor, meaning that a person or a thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended from. This definition is from google search. So how does progenitor fit with the genre of fantasy?

Now as creative, adaptable beings we are capable of expanding a definition to other aspects. Fantasy is the progenitor genre of all other genres. Yes, I know this is probably making your eyes go wide in shock or confusion. And now here comes the explanation to this claim.

If you look at fantasy as the primary genre of major stories like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, it is full head on fantasy in every sense of the word, but what about Star Wars or Pirates of the Caribbean? They are fantasy too. Star Wars is also science fiction, or soft science fiction, as many probably wish to see it. Nevertheless, if you take the entire story element of Star Wars and plop it into the fantasy genre (replacing the minor details like horses/starfighters, birds/holograms, etc.) then wallah it becomes a full fantasy genre story.

Pirates of the Caribbean would be considered a sea-faring story and it also belongs with the adventure genre. Now two-three types of story-telling merges with fantasy.

Today Star Wars alongside Harry Potter have expanded their universes in story-telling. Latest SW stories involve the mystery genre (Ahsoka framed for Jedi Temple bombing) and western genre (Solo movie). ABC's Once Upon a Time involves numerous themes like romance, mystery, adventure, war, and more.

I am sure this is still fuzzy for many because there isn't any certainty that fantasy founded chic-flicks and modern contemporary fiction. True, but I can happily delve deeper into this in the discussions below. Stay tuned for part 3 of the fantasy genre where we will discuss themes.